Being a judge to select the coveted Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach is no easy job.
I found that out last week when I was one of 10 judges interviewing the three finalists for the Youth of the Year award – high school students Dahny Potts, J’Miya Lomeli and Samajahe King.
Don Rodriguez, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach, was right when he said that every one of the finalists was a winner. Choosing one out of this impressive trio was a challenge.
“It takes courage to stand in front of a room of adults and share your story,” Rodriguez said after the finalists had spoken. “These young people did that with honesty and confidence.”
The 2026 Youth of the Year finalists for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach are from left, J’Miya Lomeli, Dahnya Potts and Samajahe King. (Photo courtesy of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach)
From left, Don Rodriguez, CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs, and the 10 judges for the 2026 Youth of the Year award are Stuart Ledsam, Kam Baboff, Olga Chavez, Rich Archbold, Emani Jammott (2023 Youth of Year recipient), Tamara Achauer, Dr. Cara Askew (Cal State Long Beach), Dr. Nohel Corral (Long Beach City College), Debbie Uba, and Dr. Grant Uba. (Photo courtesy of Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach)
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The 2026 Youth of the Year finalists for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach are from left, J’Miya Lomeli, Dahnya Potts and Samajahe King. (Photo courtesy of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Long Beach)
Besides being teenagers, Potts, Lomeli and King had one other major thing in common: Despite their relatively young ages, they each had learned how to handle difficulties and turn them into leadership skills — helping others in the community.
“We are incredibly proud of these young people,” Rodriguez said, “and we’re honored to support them with scholarships as they take their next steps on their life’s journey.”
The winner of the Youth of the Year award will be announced during the clubs’ annual youth dinner at the Hotel Maya on Feb.19. The winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship and go on to compete in the B&G’s Los Angeles regional competition. From there, participants can advance to state and national contests. The runner-up finalists will receive $2,500 scholarships.
For more information on how to attend the dinner or donate to the youth event and scholarship fund, visit bgclublb.org/YOY.
Here is a look at each of the finalists based on their biographies and their Interviews with the judges:
J’miya Lomeli
Lomeli, a Poly High School student, said one accomplishment that sparked a period of personal growth for her was the moment she accepted a leadership role within her community.
“At first, I wasn’t sure I was ready,” she said. “I knew I cared about people, and I knew I wanted to make a difference, but stepping into a position where others would look to me for guidance felt intimidating. Still, I relied on the strengths that have always carried me: my empathy, my willingness to listen and my determination to show up for others even when it’s difficult.”
She said she began to understand the impact of simply being present with someone.
“Sometimes, all someone needed was a person who would listen without judgment or offer gentle encouragement at the right moment,” she said. “In those interactions, I learned that leadership is less about giving orders and more about creating an environment where people feel safe, supported and capable of growing. I also discovered that my own confidence grew when I focused less on perfection and more on connection.”
Developing an understanding of others, she said, is important.
“It reminds us that everyone carries their own challenges, strengths and stories,” she said. “When we take the time to recognize those differences, we build stronger relationships and more inclusive communities.”
This experience, Lomeli said, taught her that personal growth often begins “the moment we choose to step forward not because we feel fully prepared, but because we are willing to learn. And, in learning about others, I learned more about myself than I ever expected.”
Lomeli said her goal is to become a lawyer or a registered nurse.
“I want a job where I can protect people or help them heal,” she said.
B&G Teen Director Chilon Woodard, in recommending Lomeli as a candidate for the award, said the teen has played a key role in the organization’s Keystone leadership development program.
“Her confidence grew through her participation in Keystone, allowing her natural spark to shine,” Woodard said. “I have seen her become increasingly expressive and assertive in her leadership role.”
Dahnya Potts
Potts, also a Poly High School student, said that being a member of the Boys & Girls Clubs has had a huge impact on her life.
“It has given me opportunities to grow in leadership skills and handle setbacks,” she said. “I’ve faced my share of difficult challenges both inside and outside of the club and school, and the club was always here to support me.”
Potts always worried about making changes and meeting new people, she said, but the Boys & Girls Clubs taught her not to be afraid of making changes.
“There will always be changes in life,” she said, “and all we can do is make the best out of them.”
She said she also learned that being a good listener is as important as being a good speaker.
“When you understand someone’s story, you’re more likely to lend a hand,” Potts said. “It’s important because it breaks down barriers and builds bridges. Understanding others helps you navigate conflicts and find common ground. It’s the foundation of any strong relationship, whether personal or professional. And when we understand each other, we can achieve way more together than we ever could alone.”
Mental health is an important issue to work on to improve someone’s life,Potts said.
Potts also wants to continue her work in helping younger kids.
“By working with kids,” she said, “I hope to inspire them to pursue their dreams, just as my experiences have inspired me to become a pediatrician.”
Potts said her hobbies, such as art, music, baking and physical activities, has helped her realize “that there’s more to life than our phones by providing real-world connections, which are beyond digital screens.”
In recommending Potts as a candidate for the youth award, Woodard said she “has a soft-spoken presence, but her thoughts and opinions are very loud and influential. She has found her voice, risen to the highest levels of club leadership and backed her commitment with academic success.”
Samajahe King
King, a Cabrillo High School student, said growing up was never simple for her.
“There were constant distractions, challenges and complications that made it hard to stay focused on school and my goals,” she said. “At times, I found myself slipping into the wrong crowds, hanging out with people who didn’t have my best interests at heart.”
But joining the Boys & Girls Clubs of Long Beach was a turning point in her life.
“Walking through those doors gave me a chance to reset, to find a safe place where I could grow and be myself,” King said. “The club didn’t just give me activities, it gave me guidance, structure and a community that believed in me.”
Dancing programs with coach Amber Leake was one of the most transformative experiences she had ever had, King said.
“She saw potential in me when I didn’t see it in in myself,” King said. “She pushed me to step out of my shell, to perform with confidence and to embrace my voice. Because of her mentorship, I went from being shy and uncertain to winning first place in dance competitions, performing in parades and representing the club with pride.”
King said if she had to describe the B&G Clubs in one word it would be “community.”
“It is the place where I found my voice, my confidence and my purpose,” she said. “It is where ordinary kids like me become extraordinary leaders.”
Whether she is dancing or running track, King said, being active allows her to release stress and stay focused. Dancing, she said, is not just about performing, but also about expressing emotions, telling stories and building confidence. Running track, meanwhile, has taught her discipline and endurance.
“Both pursuits remind me that life is not only about reaching the finish line,” King said, “but also about embracing the process, finding happiness in the effort and celebrating growth along the way.”
King said she wants to study psychology in college and use that knowledge to help others — especially young people who face challenges in their lives.
George Walton, assistant principal at Cabrillo High School, said King leads by example, whether encouraging teammates on the track field, collaborating with peers during dance rehearsals or helping amplify student voices through the Black Student Union.
“One thing that sets Samajahe apart is her ability to inspire,” he said. “Her optimism and presence naturally moves others to show up as their best selves. Her genuine kindness, strong work ethic and responsible decision-making reflect a maturity well beyond their years.”
These relatively short descriptions of each finalist’s life shows how difficult it was for judges to select a Youth of the Year.
Joining me in that task were Stuart Ledsam, Kam Baboff, Olga Chavez, Emani Jammott (2023 Youth of Year recipient), Tamara Achauer, Dr. Cara Askew (Cal State Long Beach), Dr. Nohel Corral (Long Beach City College), Debbie Uba and Dr. Grant Uba.